It is a tough world out there for kids, making role models a very special commodity these days. In Westlake, a father and son coaching duo from Mossville are being just that for a group of young girls. The Clophus are true life heroes people who quietly dedicate themselves to helping kids, said Angelle Boyette . It really isnt about us; its all about the kids. If we want to lead them the right way, we have to keep them occupied in positive ways, said Mossville native Wilfred Clophus. Boyettes daughter Simone, 7, was one of eight girls to play recreational league basketball in the Westlake/Mossville area under the direction of coaches Wilfred Clophus and his son Elridge. The Eagles ended their season on Valentines Day undefeated - a first for Wilfred, who has coached in the Westlake recreational league for 10 years. At the beginning of the season, we told the team that its not about winning, its about giving us your best effort. If we can have a balanced attack, we will have a good season just remember to give us your best effort in every game. The team did what was asked of them on offense and defense, and the end result was a perfect season, said Wilfred. The undefeated season was also a first for Elridge, who has been coaching alongside his dad for about five years. It wasnt about winning every time; it was about putting out their best effort. But kids are impressionable and once they got some wins under their belt, they came to each game expecting a win. Once they expected to win, they played like they expected it. Athleticism runs in the family. Wilfred, a 1974 graduate of Sulphur High, remembers playing the game as a youth in outdoor courts. He also coached Elridge during the younger mans recreational league playing years. Elridge continued to play basketball for two years as well as football for three at Sulphur High. This season with the Eagles, the duo coached both of Elridges daughters, Nevaeh and Johana, on the recreational team. It is easy working with my dad because I know how he is, he coached me. As for the girls, he works with them the same at home as he does with the team, said Elridge. For Boyette and the other team parents, the praise for the Clophus comes not only from how the team was coached but also with the familys generous spirit. Out of his own pocket, Wilfred, who works alongside Elridge at Alcoa, has provided drinks for the team at games, special treats such as candy for Valentines Day, and uniforms for those whose parents could not otherwise afford them. I know what it is like not to have. If you can help someone, you should, said Wilfred. The world needs more coaches like the Clophus, said Boyette. Elridges father-in-law Jay Cotto, has also dipped into his pocketbooks, providing funds for a party celebrating the end of the season and the teams undefeated record and for hoodies with the teams mascot emblazoned on them. On March 2, the coaches surprised the players with the keepsake hoodies. You have to do something for these kids. What they did is an accomplishment, said Wilfred, adding his praise for the parents. And although next year four of their players will be out of the age bracket for their team, including Elridges daughter Johana, the father and son expect to coach together again next season in January.

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Coaching duo serves as role models for team